The future's orange

It's been half term and I've not been feeling that great recently, so I haven't really been doing much in the way of second-hand shopping. Also, I've got to be honest and say when I have looked, very little has really jumped out at me. If anyone could send me some thrift karma I'd be very grateful. However, I did find this  - which given the fact it's bright orange, with lairy 70s flowers on it, even I couldn't miss.

Tala Bread Bin

It cost me £3, and doesn't have a chip or a dent on it. Not only that, but it matches my nails.

Pretending I've got a Lamborghini 

[Matching your nails to your bread-bin proves you're in advanced stages of housewifery]

By happy co-incidence the tea-towel which lovely Loo sent me yesterday is also sporting an eye-popping orange floral, reminding me of my parents' bedroom wallpaper when I was tiny. Loo's parcel cheered me up no end, wrapped in the tea-towel was also a Habitat canvas shopping bag - I love the peacock and fox design - a birdy brooch from Acorn and Will and a rather marvellous 'build your own' cardboard crocodile. I made him immediately and he is currently guarding my earrings. She also cleverly made the box for the brooch herself - using orange origami paper.

Also on the orange theme - check out what I found when we were getting suitcases down from the loft recently. I bought these trousers round about 1996 and wore them not only clubbing but just generally out and about. I like to think that these are future vintage. It's no wonder I wore sunglasses almost permanently then...

Mid 90s skin-tight kick-flare leggings

Sadly I don't have any photos of me rocking these, I will have to ask around.

I'm not sure how many of you will appreciate this - but I'll leave you with club classic The Orange Theme by Cygnus X. Happy nights days...

Lakota x

Linking up with Liz for Magpie Monday

The postman always rings twice

As a stay at home mother, you'll understand that I have a finely honed daily routine. So you can imagine that I'm pretty pissed off* when the postman interrupts my designated hour of lounging in lingerie and eating peeled grapes in front of Cash in the Attic by hammering on the front door. Luckily, it wasn't my neighbour's Next Directory delivery again (how many polyester work blouses can one woman need?) but a parcel sent by the delightful Max of Blackbird Has Spoken, all the way from New Zealand. Max has had me glued to her I'm a Giant dolls' house do-up challenge - what she can do with lolly-sticks and ball pool balls is quite unprecedented - so I was really rather excited to get to name the Blythe doll inhabitant of her masterpiece. Go and check out her blog, it's great. 

Anyway, look what I won:

A little cute little house - guess what it's for?

Handmade fabric Christmas tree bauble

Lovely Christmastime Treats book with crafts and recipes

Milk chocolate with feijoa (nope, I'd never heard of it either - it's a fruit)

It houses recipe cards! 

I was also lucky enough to win another gorgeous Christmas book a couple of months ago from Annie at The Felt Fairy, so I basically have no excuse not to have a picture perfect festive home. You know, aside from my general slackness and the fact that we're supposed to be moving house. [Yes, I'm still going on about that]

I also need to say a big thank you to Scarlett, Jem and Miss Tea and Luce, who were lovely enough to send me cards and presents for my birthday. Scarlett was convinced I'd need to know how to fit in with the crazies once I move to the outskirts of Watford wilds of Hertfordshire, and with fellow bloggers like La Dama around she's probably right. Hopefully this guide to country ways will stop me being spurned as a city type. And look - an Operation biro! The only way to write one's poison pen letters about the vicar, or whatever it is they do in rural areas. Jem sent me a lovely little notebook, and also this heart keyring, with uncanny prescience since  the old one I had with photos of the boys was falling apart. Susan aka Miss Tea chose me a gorgeous monochrome enamel bangle, which goes with everything. Apologies for the photos ladies, the light has been terrible so I have made no attempt to stage these properly.

Birthday Pressies

Thank you all very much. You'll be thrilled to know that I'll be repaying you with a craft post shortly. And it involves macaroni. Yes really. Be afraid.

Lakota x

*I jest. I love postmen. And parcels, obviously

Kylie's groovy Grannies and other delights

Look what the postman brought me -a  pink paper package tied up with string! [OK, first it was in a giant paper postal sack with a customs label, but that isn't so pretty, or as easy to bastardize song lyrics for.]

It's a parcel from the very lovely Kylie at Lucy Violet Vintage who blogs about her incredible op-shop and roadside finds in Perth, Australia. If you haven't checked out her site yet, wherever have you been? Kylie got sick of me bellyaching that there were no granny blankets to be had in my neck of the woods - at least not without paying silly money - and promptly shipped some off to me. Vintage granny blankets made by vintage Aussie Nannas - I love them! (Kylie had been a bit worried that by the time the boat came in I'd have made my own, but those of you who have seen my crochet endeavours here and here will know that was never going to be very likely).

I was further spoiled this week by our resident flamingo fancier and kitsch lover Scarlett of Scarlett loves Elvis who sent me a patriotic Welsh dragon apron she pounced on for me in a charity shop - perfect for making my welshcakes. (It was also in pink paper, but I was too busy ripping it open to find a camera). I haven't got a decent photo yet so you will have to imagine its glory, but here's a pic of my new yurrhrin's (as they are inexplicably pronounced in the valleys), also from Scarlett. They're brilliant - and I have the perfect nail varnish to match. Thanks lovely! 

Finally, thanks ever so much to Janys from Arty Crafty Stuff, who recently sent me one of her gorgeous  notepads, handmade with her own block printed painting on the cover. It's gone straight into my new (to me) handbag. You can see more of Janys' work on her blog or at her DaWanda shop

Anyway, whilst out and about in the charity shops and boot sales of South London I have also found myself spotting things I think my blogging buddies would like, and it got me thinking. I've seen swaps on other blogs - does anyone fancy Faith Hope and Charity Swapping? I haven't thought the details through fully yet - now there's a surprise - but it would probably involve letting me know you fancy it, me sorting out the swappers (I'm guessing most will be in the UK, but if you'd be up for posting internationally, or if I can find a swapper in your country, then great) and deciding on a little budget, theme and deadline. Then you check your partner's blog, find out a bit about them, and look out for second hand treasure and handmade loveliness you think they'd like. Result - everyone gets lovely parcels in the post. Anyone up for it? Let me know and I'll sort out a button and an 'official' post.

Lakota x

Edit: You don't have to blog about second hand stuff particularly, open to anyone who fancies it

From Russia with love...

My husband has been working away quite a bit recently - and when I heard he was going to Moscow, well, what else could I ask him to bring back? Yes, Matryoshka dolls. [Shame on you for thinking vodka. I have plenty of that]. He was able to meet up with a good friend of ours who lives there, and whilst she was rather scathing at my desire for 'traditional tourist tat', her assistance did mean that he was able to get a good set without paying the sky-high price he would have been charged as a non-native! I have actually been to Moscow myself some years ago, but foolishly gave all the dolls I had bought away as gifts, without keeping any for myself. Anyway, here is the set he chose - there are ten in all, and the smallest is only 6mm high! Aren't they lovely?

The two largest and most glamorous ladies

Weeniest miss in giant pea shock

He also brought back these on Elena's recommendation - I don't know what they're called, but they're fresh cranberries in powdered sugar - like a bonbon, but with a fruity burst in the middle. Sounds odd I know, but they're amazing. There's not much better than discovering a sweet that gives you one of your 5 a day!

The week before Russia he was working in Barcelona, and he treated me to these lovely silver earrings. Very well chosen I thought, although of course I'd rather he didn't have to go anywhere (or at least was able to take me with him).

Finally I need to say a big thank you to one of my earliest followers, Carole, who read my moan about disappearing crochet hooks and very kindly sent me several. I promise to look after these ones!